If the church was supposed to be monolithic why is their so much diversity in the New Testament? Why are there four gospels? Why are there different genres? Letters? Stories? Poetic visions? Why multiple authors?
Diversity in the New Testament
Reflections on Christianity, Art, Nature, and Culture
Curious Christian
Matt,
I have been so helped by Alan Hirsch’s perspectives on monotheism (from TFW, if I have properly understood)as being that the three persons of our Triune God have one will that is undivided. They are always at work doing the same thing. There is no competition between them.
This speaks to Jesus’ (and later Paul’s) emphasis on unity in the Body — that we, being many parts, are to be ONE in Christ.
I think it is meant to show interdependence — which points us back to the importance of understanding perichoresis — as it shows Father-Son-Holy Spirit in their interpenetrating dance, into which we, as the Body of Christ, are also invited. As we dance with each other in unity in Christ, we dance perichoretically with the Three-In-One.
The point is not, in the end, sameness. It is about being woven together in order to bring glory to God in Christ — that we all have something to bring to the table.
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I’d say:
Not monolithic.
Nor cacophonic.
But polyphonic.
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Polyphonic – having two or more independent but harmonically related melodic parts sounding together. Very good Adam. One of the images that has always helped me, in understanding our calling, is the image of an orchestra. Many different instruments, many different music sheets, one chord, one song. And yes Peggy, we all dance to the same drumbeat.
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